What You Can Do to Combat Gun Violence in America
Last week, I stood on the floor of the Senate for nearly 15 hours because I was completely stunned by Congress’s inaction following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. I wanted Congress to do something, anything, to try and stop this carnage.
And I wasn’t alone. 37 of my colleagues joined me to speak out against gun violence, and my friends Senator Blumenthal and Senator Booker stood with me from the beginning to the very end. I received countless calls, messages, tweets and comments from people expressing how grateful they were that someone was finally trying to take action.
But there was one question that I received over and over again this past week that I want to make sure I answer. It was, “What I can do to help? How can I, right now, do something to fix the problem of gun violence in this country?”
Here’s what you can do:
- Call your Senators right now: The Senate is voting TODAY at 5:30 on two amendments to prevent gun violence — one to expand background checks, and one to prohibit those on the terror watch list from purchasing a gun. This vote will be an uphill battle. We need 60 votes for it to proceed and the numbers are not on our side. Right now, you can call your Senators and tell them that this vote matters to you and that you will remember their actions.
To contact your Senator text DISARM HATE to 644–33 to get connected or dial 1–844–292–4089. You can also write them a letter here: http://bit.ly/1sNnkUj
2. Tweet at them. Facebook them. Snapchat them for good measure: Your Senators and Representatives are almost all on social media and are receiving constant feedback from their constituents. Follow them and make your opinions heard. Remind them that this issue is not going away and that you will continue to talk to them about it long after the vote has passed.
3. Talk to your friends: The most powerful force when changing people’s hearts and minds is a person-to-person conversation. If preventing gun violence is something that is important to you, make that known. When you are having conversations with your friends about the upcoming election, remind them what is at stake. If you have friends in states where their elected officials are on the fence about gun violence, remind them of the power of their voice and their vote.
4. Get involved with a gun violence prevention group: There are numerous groups across the country, both local and national, that are working to prevent gun violence in our communities. They are advocating for ballot reforms, tracking state and local legislation and organizing efforts to help create change. This is a young movement and it needs engaged, passionate people to help ensure that it keeps growing. Here are just a few of the great groups out there working to end gun violence:
- Everytown for Gun Safety & Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- Americans for Responsible Solutions
- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
5. Get in touch with your state and local representatives: Let your State Representatives, Governor and Mayor know where you stand. Local laws are just as important as federal ones — we know that states with stricter gun safety laws have lower rates of gun deaths. Make sure that your elected officials at every level know that this issue matters to you.
6. Remember gun violence when you go to the ballot box: For a very long time, gun violence was an issue that people cared about, but it wasn’t one they voted on. That is changing. If we want our laws to change, we need to elect people who are willing to change them. Before you vote, see where your representatives stand on gun safety and make it clear that you will be thinking about this issue when you vote in November.
7. Don’t give up: It can be frustrating that despite widespread support for common sense gun safety measures, Congress is moving at a snail’s pace. But remember that great change takes time. We will face setbacks, but we will succeed because the people who care deeply about progress never, never give up. I am in this fight for the long haul. I hope you are in it with me.
